Sings4Speedway

Don't get me wrong I've nothing personal against jack however far too many times he would arrive late and with a bike unprepared. His family spent a huge amount of time and money on his racing like every other family and yet his general appearance was that he didn't care. As I've said many times before these are just my opinions based upon what I have seen.

No doubt a wasted talent. Had plenty of potential but lacked effort both on and especially off the track. Has had good people around him in the past who have gone above and beyond yet he was generally ungrateful. If he applied himself properly & approached speedway as a privilege not a right then he could make a successful return by i very much doubt it will happen.

A lot of home track specialists though. Agree Walker hasn't really progressed in 2 years but Atkins is one of the hot reserve signings. Im hoping for a successful season at Plymouth to help with crowd numbers etc likewise Lakeside however i feel the most optimistic i can be about the Devils is mid table.

Good point.....for now. It does seem bizarre to say that Eastbourne have the weakest top 3 though. I feel like there are probably a few weaker on balance although those teams do have an out and out number one which Eastie don't. Frustratingly though the Eagles have an excellent track record and i think the way the team is built is the right way to go.

Thanks for your posts Ash very informative & transparent. For me the biggest issue with the GTR engines is the lack of readily available information. The service costs & parts list obviously exist but seem to be hidden from public view & certainly from potential buyers. I can't imagine anyone buying any other item without being able to gather all the facts. I suspect most engines that are sent to you are probably capable of another 20 races but riders opt to service early as prevention is better than cure(or scrap if the engine blows) much in the same way that whilst GTR are quoting 100 races i suspect most will be sending them off after 80 maximum.

Kean Dickens time will come and i have no doubt that he can be a useful rider but i think its too early for him and could do more harm than good whether at Brum or wherever plus there are plenty of more competitive riders still looking for places. Im glad Belle Vue look like they are running but certainly not pleased about the potential team they look like lining up with. Only thing that might stop them is the riders they will have doubling up.

Good point he has nothing to lose. He does well he has fully recovered, does not so well he was getting used to the GTR engines.

Not sure Kean Dicken will be anywhere else his father signs? As a 15/16 year old he is going to reliant on the family transport and im not sure how workable that would be if they were riding for separate teams? Kean:"Dad ive got an away match at Mildenhall this weekend" Lee:"Oh eck Buxton are at home on Sunday, don't worry im sure Mr Pipe won't mind if i miss it"

Hang on im having a funny 5 minutes as i included Chris Hay in the wrong side! Still room for Tedham though and 3.28 for the final rider? Andy Mellish 3.21? Stoke Potters 1. Mitchell Davey 8.34 2. Shaun Tedham 3.93 3. Luke Priest 8.33 4. Ryan Terry-Daley 4.55 5. Tony Atkin 7.16 6. Chris Hay 3.23 7. David Wallinger 3.32 8. Sam Ward 3.00

I think Halder will be the Coventry part of the Belle Vue/Cov mix up. Burnett would virtually use up all the available points? Otherwise its a 3 pointer or marginally over and end up almost half a point under the limit. If its a wonder rookie as the final signing it wouldn't really matter but a persistent 3-3.5 rider could be a worry.

Does the end of July transfer deadline also apply to the NL?

Not sure how many extra riders you would like at Gloomer Road? From what i can see there is only the Tedham sized gap to fill? Plus Sam ward at number 8 again as Stoke have stopped doing anything to unearth their own riders. Stoke Potters 1. Mitchell Davey 8.34 2. Shaun Tedham 3.93 3. Luke Priest 8.33 4. Ryan Terry-Daley 4.55 5. Tony Atkin 7.16 6. Chris Hay 3.23 7. David Wallinger 3.32 8. Sam Ward 3.00 Looks an alright team with solid heat leaders so providing the 2nd strings & reserves can do a bit it might not be so gloomy this season? How many matches Davey misses doubling up will probably decide the fate of Stokes season.

Personally i would like to see a pay structure in place and for it to be made public. As riders averages change & their team position moves the points money is amended accordingly. 1.£5 2.£2 3.£3 4.£2 5.£4 6.£1 7.£1 Not actual values obviously but at least an incentive to try and push for the higher positions rather than guaranteed fees paid and little effort given in return.

Poaching only applies when a deal has been done and then a better offer is thrown out and the rider renegades on the original deal (not that Stoke would know anything about that kind of behaviour ) Im not sure many sides would be excited about the inclusion of Chris Hay anyway? Fingers crossed Shaun Tedham is already in the team plans as he appears to be a Stoke or nowhere rider, a genuine trier & despite being as nutty as a fruit bat a very nice bloke. Scratch that 3.98 remaining and Tedham on 3.93 looks a nailed on signing.

I have no doubt that this Eastbourne side could go out and conquer all but it could wobble a bit? Baseby - Capable of beating the best riders in the league when applied but can go missing & will go down at the slightest touch Dugard - Potential has been evident for years but progress has been slower than expected Coles - Super quick when in the mood but machinery is often a problem (Dugards ma be the answer) will he have one eye on PL meetings the following day though? Extance - Bargain average if he returns to anywhere near his potential. Could be first out the door if he doesn't set the ground running. Wood - A natural motorcyling talent from a young age. Could well have the number 1 jacket by season end but temprement a concern. Powell - Still awkward on a bike. Lacks speedway basics but has plenty of speed. A potent threat but also a potent hazard. Brennan - Similar build up as Kelsey. Ability is evident, will be monitored and restrained by the Dugard family which is a plus. May lack size to cope with grippy tracks? All of the above are opinions not fact.

Bacon? Hard to believe that he doesn't get on with anyone. As for the signing it strikes me as one made because his average is a little over 3 and fills a gap rather than based upon pedigree however Brum have helped develop riders before so time will tell.

As things have gone a little quiet on here i thought i would start a little friendly debate (stir up) The Eastbourne side this year has been built around a strength in depth basis and if all riders are firing i think it will inflict some heavy defeats on some teams however........it also includes Baseby, Dugard, Coles & Powell who can all go missing from meetings / suffer huge drops in form out of nowhere so are any fans concerned that this could be the worst season since dropping into the NL?

Should have clarified strength in depth 1-5. Four 7+ riders & one 3 pointer i personally feel is more in depth than three 8 pointers & two 3ish riders like Mildenhall have lined up with. As pointed out by Waco above often the key to a successful season is who can sign the top reserves / big improvers and can either keep them in the 6 & 7 jackets or replace them with an equally potent rider.

Certainly tricky to judge which teams will prosper this year and who will falter. Most teams have built around a strong heatleader trio like Mildenhall, Cradley & IOW whereas Eastbourne & Brum are looking down the strength in depth route. It could be argued that the Kent side looks like an in depth side but with a out and out number one which is a different approach to many but will it be successful? I guess the major question to be answered is what combination would score most points Stoneman & Clifton or Shanes & Andrews / 3 pointer?

Certainly a tough decision. Id agree that Hopwood is far more experienced as a higher heat leader and will make a mockery of his starting average even starting at 5. However there is part of me that wants to see him in the number 3 jacket as i think he would be excellent for Jack Thomas' progression and would make a very effective middle order pairing.

I think most sides would be pleased with the signing of Stoneman but there are obviously some concerns. His equipment clearly needs upgrading so hopefully the above is true & he will be starting at no.5 and featuring in some tough races which could ultimately make or break the Kings season. Fingers crossed he does deliver what he is capable of and supply some good back up to Bowen otherwise there will be huge weight on Thomas & Hopwood's shoulders.

If its Halder or Purchase then both Hopwood + Stoneman would fit and the Kent side would be pretty near the points limit.

Plenty of time for speculation then. Personally im hoping for Jamie Halder or James Purchase to slot in nicely at reserve.

Phew! Right so how can cost effectively air fences be improved / secured. Also who should be ensuring they are correctly tethered before a meeting? Its clearly not someone who puts themselves in jeopardy racing on the limit with the belief that the air fence will offer some safety elements rather than lifting and allowing the horrific injuries that the solid barriers located behind present them.

I think most supporters would appreciate the start time to actually be adhered to. Rider presentation doesn't have to include bikes? Perhaps the SCB/BSPA could offer a reduced league entry cost if any club has junior league racing? Obviously those with unworkable curfews cannot accommodate it but i think most would agree that more effort by current promoters needs to be invested in the future.